Four Cheers: Fighting MD

Monday

The entire community should be - and probably will be - excited when they learn that this year's "fill the boot campaign" raised a record amount to fight Muscular Dystrophy.

During the weekend of the Florida-Georgia game, members of the Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters stood at intersections and solicited donations.

About $127,000 was raised, the most ever in one of these events, according to a news release. The money will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Over the course of the year, local firefighters have raised $152,000 for the MDA - more than any other fire department in Florida.

Why does that matter?

Muscular Dystrophy actually refers to any of 30 genetic diseases that weaken muscles that control movement, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke's Web site.

There is no known treatment to stop or reverse MD, although physical therapy and surgery sometimes can alleviate the symptoms.

In some cases, the stricken lose the ability to walk.

MD is a terrible disease. The more that can be done to fight it, the better.

Going green

Jacksonville International Airport's new shuttle vehicles look like the SUV version of a golf cart.

But they are good for the environment - and their odd appearance probably makes travel a little more interesting for most people.

The vehicles are battery-powered carts large enough to carry five passengers and their luggage, according to a news release.

They zip around the surface parking lot, looking for passengers 24 hours a day - a service that previously was provided by use of diesel-powered shuttle buses.

Airport officials say the carts not only leave a smaller carbon footprint, they also have reduced the wait time.

Better service, more economical and more environmental. Good job.

Looking for cabbie Samaritan

Gabrielle Donovan of Jacksonville writes that she needs help locating a taxi driver.

Here's her story related by e-mail:

"On July 30, my companion and I returned to Jax Port aboard the Carnival Fascination cruise ship.

"We chose a taxi for a return trip home. After about an hour at home, I discovered my pink tote bag was left in the back seat of the taxi.

"The driver must have discovered the bag a short time later and returned it to the cruise line.

"All attempts to locate the driver have failed.

"This driver was an African- American, and retired military. He swapped stories with my companion, who is also a retired military person, during the drive to my home in the suburbs of Jacksonville.

"When the bag was returned to me, everything that I had been carrying in the bag was still there, including my camera.

"This driver is to be commended for his honesty, concern, and thoughtfulness.

"My phone number is (904) 412-8334."

Wonderful air show

Capt. Chuck Nygaard, former commanding officer of the USS Vicksburg, said the recent air show was different. Here are his comments via e-mail:

"This was supposed to be another air show, but it was different for me. Having recently returned from a six-month deployment to the Middle East escorting USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, I spend long hours daily up to my eyeballs in naval aviation.

"Loaded and armed F/A-18 Hornet attack jets flew the narrow corridor east of Iran from the Northern Arabian Sea to Afghanistan to airborne waiting stations ready to answer the call for help from our troops on the ground.

"They stayed busy, too. At night, my cruiser would maneuver into plane guard to provide guardian angel duties for returning jets. These were the same jets flown by the Blue Angels.

"From my vantage point, I saw warplanes fly and surfers surf. These warplanes performed ballet at extra-human physical stress and America families enjoyed the show. It was a contrast that grabbed me. It was extremely patriotic and the day belonged to our countrymen; the audience, facilitated by the Blue Angels.

"The city of Jacksonville afforded this opportunity and for that I am grateful. Thank you for the therapeutic and awesome experience of watching the pros rip the sky the way only they can, at home on U.S. soil."

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